5 Beach Myths

Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference between a myth and a fact. So, before the 4th of July holiday kicks off we wanted to review a few beach myths that might help you enjoy your vacation a little more. 

1. Is it true that having a base tan will protect me from the sun? 

This is not true. Having a base tan looks great but it does not protect you from the rays of the sun! You should definitely still wear sunscreen! 

2. Do you really have to wait 30 minutes after eating before going swimming? 

We’ve all heard the saying that you have to wait 30 minutes after eating before you can hit the pool or lazy river. The reasoning behind this saying is that after eating most of your blood and oxygen is flowing to your digestive system making it more difficult for you to move your arms and legs, which in turn makes it hard for you to swim. We did our research and we found that this is not true. Your body has enough oxygen and blood flow to help you swim even while digesting your food! 

3. Does urine really relieve the pain of a jellyfish sting? 

This is absolutely false! We’ve never met someone who actually tried this remedy but we have had people tell us this to see the reaction on our faces. The best way to ease the pain of a jelly fish encounter is to use vinegar and baking soda. 

4. Is SPF 50 stronger than SPF 15? 

This is half true. The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) rating of your sunscreen really just tells you how long you can stay in the sun before reapplying. Here’s how it works according to http://www.skincancer.org/. If it takes 20 minutes for your unprotected skin to start turning red, using an SPF 15 sunscreen theoretically prevents reddening 15 times longer, about 5 hours. A good rule to follow while vacationing at the beach this summer is, when in doubt reapply! 

5. Is it true that only an oyster can make a pearl? 

This is also false. Clams, mussels and scallops also produce pearls. The oyster is just more popular for its pearl producing ability because it does it more often than the others. 

 

Published on Thursday, June 29, 2017